Signature printing check writer



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SIGNATURE PRINTING CHECK WRITER Filed Jan. 9, 1963 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVEN TOR.

July 28, 1 A. A. GOPPERTON SIGNATURE PRINTING CHECK WRITER 7Sheets-Sheet: 7

Filed Jan. 9, 1963 INVENTOR. g yerfim W NM United States Patent3,142,251 SIGNATURE PRINTING CHECK WRITER Ardath A. Gopperton, Niles,Ill., assignor to Theodore B. Hirschberg, In, Chicago, Ill. Filed Jan.9, 1963, Ser. No. 250,424 Claims. ((31. 101-336) This invention relatesto machines for printing checks and the like, frequently referred to ascheck writers, and has to do with such a machine having an inkingribbon.

Check Writers employing inking ribbons for inking the printingcharacters are known. In cases where checks are to be issued insubstantial number it is desirable that the signature of the drawer orperson signing the checks be printed thereon, thereby effecting acorresponding saving in time in issuing the checks. In ribbon type checkwriters, the ribbon is maintained under appreciable tension, to assureproper indexing and inking of the printing surfaces. A signatureprinting plate if used in such a machine must be disposed remote fromthe normal printing line of the machine, corresponding to the line onwhich the characters for printing the amount of the check are disposed.Accordingly, the platen cooperating with the signature plate must havegreater movement than the platen cooperating with the characters on theprinting line. If the ribbon were maintained under normal tension and inits normal position, throughout the printing operation, relativemovement between the ribbon and the signature platen, transversely ofthe latter, would occur as that platen reached its fully closed orprinting position. Such movement would cause blurring or smudging of theprinted signature, which is objectionable for obvious reasons.

My invention is directed to a ribbon check writer provided with asignature plate and cooperating platen, embodying means whereby smudgingor blurring of the printed signature is guarded against, therebyassuring a clear cut and clean printed signature. More particularly, Iprovide means whereby the portion of the inking ribbon corresponding tothe signature plate and its cooperating platen is raised during theoperating cycle and to an extent compensating for the greater movementof the signature platen. Another object of my invention is the provisionof means for preventing contact with the inking ribbon of the area ofthe instrument adjacent the signature area thereof and not being printedupon, so as to guard against objectionable smudging of such area. Afurther and important object of my invention is the provision of meanseffective for preventing unauthorized use of the signature plate. It isalso an object of my invention to provide a clearing yoke and improvedoperating means therefor, for returning to neutral position the amountprinting characters of the machine after completion of a printingoperation. Further objects and advantages of my invention will appearfrom the detail description.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front View of a check writer embodying my invention, withthe enclosing casing removed;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view, taken substantially on line 22 of FIGURE1, but including the casing;

FIGURE 3 is a right hand side view, of the check writer of FIGURE 1,taken substantially on line 3-3 of that figure and including a minorportion of the casing carrying the signature plate lock;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of FIGURE1, with the means for operating the ribbon spools shown as adjusted forimparting intermittent rotation to the rearward spool;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 55 of FIGURE 1but with the means for operating the ribbon spools shown as adjusted forimparting intermittent rotation to the forward ribbon spool, and

with the printing platen arms partly broken away and the toggle linksalso partly broken away;

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view of the left side of the machine ofFIGURE 1 with the casing omitted and the base of the machine and otherparts partly broken away;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 77 of FIGURE 6,the printing segments being omitted for clearness of illustration andcertain parts being broken away;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 8-8 of FIGURE3, with the signature plate lock shown in plan;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective plan View of the signature plate;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of thefront portion of the check writer, taken from front to back, withcertain parts broken away and certain other parts shown in elevation,for clearness of illustration, and with the parts shown in their normalpositions; and

FIGURE 11 is a view similar to FIGURE 10 but with the parts shown in thepositions which they occupy at the completion of a printing operation.

The check writing machine of my invention is, in general, similar to thecheck writer disclosed in Patent No. 2,826,140, issued March 11, 1958,to Hubert Jagger, and a brief description of the general constructionand operation of the machine will sufiice.

The main frame of the machine comprises right and left side plates 1 and2 of irregular polygonal shape, each of these plates being provided witha forwardly extending base element 3 which defines with the body portionof the plate, a rearwardly extending slot 4 for the insertion of thecheck or like paper into the machine. The plates 1 and 2 are securedtogether in spaced relation by cross rods 5 suitably securedtherethrough.

A shaft 6 is suitably mounted in the plates 1 and 2 and 2 and extendsthrough a sleeve at the upper end of a dollars bar 8 secured at itslower end to a guide bar 12 which extends transversely of the main frameand has its end portions suitably secured in the plates 1 and 2. Thereare two other bars-a sum bar 9 and a cents bar 8a having sleeves attheir upper ends receiving the shaft 6 and secured at their lower endsto the guide bar 12, the cents bar So being disposed adjacent the innerface of plate 1. The printing line of the machine is the line defined bythe bars 8, 8a and 9 aligned transversely of the machine, and thesegments which carry the printing characters are individually adjustedto align such characters on this printing line. The bar 8 bears upon itslower or printing face the abbreviation dols. for dollars and the centsbar 8a bears upon its lower or printing face the abbreviation cts forcents. The sum bar 9 (FIGURES 4 and 6) is disposed adjacent the innerface of the left hand side plate 2, as viewed from in front, and is ofT-cross section at its lower end for reception of a prefix plate 10 ofchannel cross section slidable thereon. The plate 10 may bear a suitablelegend upon the printing face thereof, such as The sum. Suitable means,with which we are not here concerned, is provided for actuating theprefix plate 10.

A plurality of type segments 15 (FIGURE 1) are mounted on shaft 6 forturning movement thereon, these segments being suitably spaced apartupon shaft 6. An arcuate type bar 16 is suitably secured to the edgeportion of each segment 15 for movement therewith. The type bar 16 isprovided, upon its printing face, with a series of characters rangingfrom 0 to 9 and arranged in seriatim order. The guide bar 12 is providedwith a plurality of guide slots 17 extending from front to back thereof,this bar being of approximately L-shape in cross section. The guideslots 17 receive the type bars 16 of 3 the respective segments 15 so asto guide the latter in the movement thereof and hold them againstlateral movement. In that connection, it will be noted that the forwardedge of the guide bar 12 is disposed adjacent the printing line of themachine, the characters which are used for printing in a given printingoperation being those which are disposed in alignment immediately infront of the forward edge of the guide bar. That is advantageous asassuring that the type characters used in the printing operation areeffectively held against any objectionable looseness or play during theprinting operation, thus assuring accuracy.

Each segment 15 is provided with a forwardly projecting finger 20riveted or otherwise suitably secured thereto and suitably shaped anddisposed to project through a slot in an index plate 21 suitably securedover an opening provided in a housing or casing 22 mounted on themachine in a suitable manner. A number strip 23 is suitably secured tofinger 20 at the underface of index plate 21. The finger 20 is providedat its outer end with a finger grip 24 fitting thereon with a tightfriction fit so as to be removable if required. The strip 23 is disposedconcentrically with the shaft 6 and is marked correspondingly to thearrangement of the characters upon the type bar 16. The index plate isprovided, adjacent each slot thereof, with an opening for observation ofthe strip 23 which is disposed to move beneath such opening, as isknown. The strips 23 are so disposed that the number or charactervisible through the opening corresponds to the character of theassociated type bar 16 which is disposed upon the printing line of themachine. That provides simple and efficient means for accuratelydetermining the set of the respective printing or type segments.

The printing segments 15, being loose upon the shaft 6, areindependently adjustable on a common axis for selectively aligning theprinting characters of the type bars 16 on the printing line of themachine, this independent adjustment of the segments being accomplishedby direct movement thereof through the manual operation of member orfinger 20. Each segment 15,is provided with a two way rack 27 formed bycutting teeth in the hub portion of the segment. An index bar 23 (FIGURE2) is suitably secured at its ends in the plates 1 and 2, this bar beingdisposed in rear of and above the shaft 6. Bar 28 is suitably bored fromits lower forward edge for reception of detent balls 29, one of which isshown in FIGURE 1, which are spring pressed for engagement with the rack27. The bar 28 is slotted for reception of the racks 27 of therespective segments 15 and the ball detent 29 engages between adjacentteeth of the rack and provides therewith means for yieldingly holdingthe respective segments 15 in adjustment.

Upon completion of a printing operation all of the segments 15 should bereturned to normal position. For that purpose I provide a clearing yoke32 of inverted U-shape, the arms of which are mounted for turningmovement upon the shaft 6. The yoke 32 is yieldingly urged incounterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG- URE 2, by means to bedescribed presently, and normally is held in a forward position spacedaway from the index bar 28, by means to be described later. By swingingthe yoke 32 forwardly and downwardly, after a printing operation, all ofthe segments 15 are returned to normal or inoperative positions.Movement of segments 15 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed inFIGURE 2, is limited by contact of the fingers 20 with the upper ends ofthe corresponding slots in the index plate 21.

A short sleeve or bushing 34 (FIGURE 3) is mounted for turning movementon a stud (not shown) secured to and projecting outward from the righthand side plate 1 a short distance above the slot 4. Bushing 34 isconfined between side plate 1 and the head of a screw 35, as shown inFIGURE 3, threading into the stud secured to plate 1. At its inner endthe bushing 34 has secured thereto a cam 36 pivoted at its outer end, at37, to the forward end of a toggle operating link 38 disposed at theinner face of cam 36 and confined between the latter and plate 1. Theouter end of bushing 34 is slabbed off from opposite sides, to provideflats thereon and receives the lower end portion of an operating lever41, indicated in broken lines, fitting tightly on the outer end of thebushing, which is provided with a reduced cylindrical extension or neck39 which is exteriorly threaded for reception of a nut for securing theoperating lever in position. Normally, the cam 36 is in its full lineposition shown in FIGURE 3, being held in such position by a tensionspring 46 anchored at its forward end to side plate 1 adjacent the topthereof and anchored at its rearward end to the pintle 51 of a togglelink structure 52 on which pintle the rearward end of link 38 ispivoted, as will be explained more fully presently.

A clearing yoke operating lever 42 is disposed at the inner face of sideplate 1 and is pivoted, at its lower end on pintle 51. Lever 42 extendsupwardly and forwardly from pintle 51 and is provided at its upper endwith a forwardly extending finger 44. The lever 42 is also provided witha lengthwise arcuate slot 45 which receives a short stud 46 secured inside plate 1. Washers of appropriate diameter are mounted on stud 46, atopposite sides of lever 42, effective for retaining it upon stud 46. Acoiled torsion spring 47 (FIGURE 4) is mounted on shaft 6, adjacent theinner face of side plate 2. One end of spring 47 is anchored to theadjacent arm of the clearing yoke 32 and the other end of spring 47engages beneath an abutment on side plate 2, referred to more fullypresently. The spring 47 normally is effective for urging the yoke 32rearward and for returning it to a rearward position after a clearingoperation pursuant to completion of a printing operation. The clearingyoke lever 42 normally is effective for actuating yoke 32 and means isprovided for optionally rendering lever 42 ineffective, when it isdesired to print a plurality of checks for the same amount, as will beexplained more fully later.

As above stated link 38 is pivoted, at its rearward end on the extendedend of pintle 51 of a toggle link structure 52 shown in FIGURE 2. Thatend of pintle 51 operates in an arcuate slot 51a in plate 1. The togglelink structure includes an upper yoke 53 rockably mounted at its upperend on a cross shaft 54 mounted in the side plates 1 and 2. The lowerends of the arms of yoke 53 are pivoted, by pintle 51, to the slottedupper ends of two lower links 55 pivoted at their lower ends, at 56, tothe rearward ends of two platen supporting arms 57, shown in FIGURE 1,rockably mounted on a cross shaft 58 mounted in the side plates 1 and 2,the platen supporting arms 57 being mounted adjacent the inner faces ofthe side plates. A platen supporting bar 59 is secured in the forwardends of the arms 57 and carries a platen 60 adjustably mounted thereonin a suitable known manner. The upper face of the platen 60 is serratedand cooperates with the printing characters disposed upon the printingline of the machine, which characters are also serrated. A second platensupporting bar 174 is secured in the forward ends of arms 57, in frontof bar 59, and carries a second platen 173, as shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and3, for a purpose to be explained more fully hereinafter. A tensionspring 61 is anchored at its upper end to left side plate 2 and at itslower end to the rearward end of the adjacent platen supporting arm 57.The spring 61 assists in breaking or releasing the printing engagementof the toggle and normally holding it in its inoperative position shownin FIGURE 2. In effecting the printing operation, the bushing 34 isturned by lever 41 in counterclockwise direc tion, as viewed in FIGURE2, thus forcing the link 38 rearward in opposition to the tension spring40. As previously noted, the pintle 51 extends through the link 38,plate 1 being provided with the arcuate slot 51a of adequate size toaccommodate the movements of pintle 51. When the link 38 is forcedrearward the toggle is straightened or extended and the platens 60 and173 are moved upward into cooperating relation with the characters onthe printing line of the machine and a signature plate referred to morefully later. Upon completion of the printing operation the operatinglever 41 is released and returned to its normal rearward position,tension spring 40 then returning the link 38 to its normal forwardposition and the parts assume their normal positions shown in FIGURES 2and 3.

Referring to FIGURES 2 and 3, the arm of clearing yoke 32 adjacent theinner face of side plate 1 is provided with a downward extension 62. Aheaded stud 63, secured in and projecting inwardly from extension 62,carries a collar or roller 64 extending inwardly across the path ofmovement of finger 44 of lever 42, it being noted that finger 44 isoff-set inwardly relative to lever 42. The clearing yoke 32 normally isheld spaced forwardly from the index bar 28 by a repeat arm 66 fixed onthe inner end of a stub shaft 67 rockably mounted through side plate 2.The stub shaft 67 passes through a flanged bushing 68, at the inner faceof plate 2, and a spacing collar 69 mounted on bushing 68 and disposedat the outer face of arm 66. The collar 69 is provided with a centralcircumferential groove which receives the rearwardly extending arm oftorsion spring 47, providing the abutment therefor previously mentioned.A grip member 75 (FIGURES 1, 5 and 6) bearing the legend repeat issecured on the outer end of stub shaft 67. When member 75 is inapproximately vertical position, the rearwardly extending finger of arm66 is in contact with index bar 28 and its forward finger, which is bentat an angle and provided with a plastic covering, is in contact with therearward edge of the adjacent arm of clearing yoke 32. The latter isthen held in its normal position, in opposition to the torsion spring47, shown in FIGURE 4.

In the normal position of the clearing yoke 32 finger 44 of clearingyoke lever 42 is disposed above roller 64 with its forward tip at aboutthe rearward side thereof. Incident to a printing operation theoperating lever 41 is turned forward and downward. That moves theclearing yoke lever 42 rearward and downward to a position in whichfinger 44 contacts roller 64 and then passes rearward beyond it, atwhich time lever 42 drops to a position with finger 44 below roller 64.In the return movement of operating lever 41 to its normal position,clearing yoke lever 42 is first moved forwardly to position with finger44 underlying roller 64. In the continued return movement of operatinglever 41 clearing lever 42 is swung upward and rearward. That swings theclearing yoke 32 downward and forward thereby effecting a clearingoperation. As the operating lever 41 reaches its full return or normalposition, the finger 44 of clearing lever 42 passes out of contact withroller 64 and clearing yoke 32 is returned to its normal position bytorsion spring 47. When it is desired to print a plurality of checks allfor the same amount, the repeat finger grip is turned from its normalsubstantially vertical position downwardly and forwardly throughapproximately 90. That permits rearward movement of clearing yoke 32into proximity with index bar 28, spaced therefrom by the arm 66,movement of the latter in either direction being limited by index bar28. In such rearward position of yoke 32 finger 44 of clearing lever 42clears roller 64 and no clearing operation is performed, as will beunderstood. The non-clearing or repeat positions of yoke 32 and arm 66are shown in FIGURE 4.

The machine is provided with adjustable check stops for limiting theextent of insertion of the check into the machine, as is known and whichneed not be described. A printing line indicator 77, to be referred tomore fully presently, is pivoted at 77a on the outer face of the leftone of two multiple armed brackets 78 suitably secured, conveniently byriveting, to the forward portions of the side frame plates 1 and 2. Theindicator 77 is disposed at the outer face of the left frame side plate2 and does not extend inwardly of the machine. It comprises a baseelement 77b and an upwardly extending finger 77c suitably secured,conveniently by spot welding, to the pivoted body portion or arm ofindicator 77; as shown in FIGURE 6. A door 81 is mounted at the front ofcasing 22 by means of hook elements 82 engaging in circumferentialgrooves in a front cross rod 83 extending between the forward arms ofbrackets 78, and a latch 84 engageable with the edge of the main portionof casing 22 and attached to an operating knob 85.

A front spool 88, disposed at the front of the machine in underlyingrelation to the door 81, is provided with a spindle 89 rotatably mountedin the brackets 78. A ratchet wheel 90 is secured to spindle 89 adjacentthe head of spool 88 at the left hand side plate 2, for a purpose whichwill appear more fully later. Suitable means such as a spring washer(not shown) may be provided for impressing a slight drag on spool 88sufficient to prevent overrunning thereof when the ribbon is beingunwound from the pool, as will appear more fully presently. A rear spool92 is mounted between the side plates 1 and 2 in back of and above theprinting segment shaft 6, as shown more clearly in FIG- URES 1 and 2.One end portion of spindle 93 of spool 92 extends into a substantiallyU-shaped guide 94 (FIG- URE 4) extending along the inner face of theside plates.

A knob 95 is screwed into one of spindle 93, adjacent the left hand sideplate 2, for manually turning the spool 92 when it is desired to take upslack in the ribbon. A leaf spring 96 (FIGURE 1) is secured to the innerface of side plate 1 and bears against the adjacent head 97 of spool 93with appreciable pressure effective for preventing overrunning of thespool when unwinding the ribbon therefrom. The end of spindle 93adjacent head 97 is of reduced diameter, providing a stud 98 which seatsin a slot 99 extending from the upper edge of plate 1. It will be seenthat the knob 95 and stud 98 provide means for rotatably mounting spool92 in side plates 1 and 2 and that spool 92 may readily be removed andreplaced as may be required. A ratchet Wheel 100 is secured to spindle93 adjacent the outer face of the other head 101 of spool 92, for apurpose to be explained later. An inking ribbon 103 is windable onto andoff of the spools 88 and 92. Preferably the ribbon 103 is divided intotwo transverse areas containing different colors of ink, such as red andblack, the red area corresponding in width to the cents area of thecheck and the black area of the ribbon corresponding in width to thedollars area of the check.

The ribbon 103 is led downward from spool 92 in back of and beneathrollers 104 mounted for free turning movement on lower cross rods 5extending between and mounted in side frame plates 1 and 2; as shown inFIGURES 2 and 4. A sheet metal guide 105 is mounted on lower cross rods5 by tabs 105a engaging about rods 5 between the rollers 104, therearward face of guide 105 being substantially flush with the rearwardsurfaces of rollers 104. A second sheet metal guide 106 is supported byears 107 at the sides thereof from the bottom cross rod 5. Guide 106 isprovided with an upwardly and rearwardly extending neck 108 the upperend of which rests on shaft 54. The guides 105 and 106 direct the ribbon103 downward and forward beneath the printing segment guide bar 12 andare for threading the ribbon through the machine, as will be understood.The ribbon 103 is led beneath a forward cross rod 110 and thence upwardover spool 88. The rod 110 is carried by a tension release member 111,of substantially elongated U-shape in plan, pivoted between the brackets78 on spindle 89 of front spool 88.

A smudge guard member 79, shown more clearly in FIGURES l, 3, 6 and 7,of elongated U-shape in plan, is pivoted at 80 between the arms oftension release member 111, the arms of which extend upwardly andforwardly beyond the brackets 78. The member 79 comprises a cross plate79a of appreciable width, beneath which and the printing line indicator77 a check blank c (FIGURE 10) is inserted into the machine. The arm ofthe printing line indicator 77 is provided with a finger 77d extendingtherefrom inwardly beneath the outer arm of bracket 78. Finger 77dlimits downward movement of indicator 77 by contact with the lower edgeof the arm of bracket 78 as shown more clearly in FIGURE 6. The finger77d also contacts shoulder 79b of the adjacent arm of member 79 andlimits downward movement thereof. When a check blank is fully insertedinto the machine for a printing operation, to be described later, theouter end portion of the check blank underlies the indicator 77. In theprinting operation the platens 60 and 173 pick up the check blank andmove it upward into pressure contact with the printing characters and asignature plate 161, to be referred to more fully later, with the inkingribbon interposed. During such upward movement of the check blank craises the smudge guard member 79 to position with the cross plate 79aunderlying rod 110 and the adjacent portion of the inking ribbon 103,and the outer portion of the check blank 0 raises the indicator '77; aswill be explained more fully later. The cross plate 79a then preventscontact of the lower portion of the check blank 0, which is not to beprinted upon, with the ribbon. That effectively guards against smudgingof such portion of the check, which would occur if it contacted theribbon 103 incident to the printing operation.

A plate 114 (FIGURE of generally rectangular shape with upwardlyextending end fingers 115 and 116 is rockably and slidably mounted, atthe inner face of the side frame plate 2, on a shouldered screw 117received in a lengthwise slot in plate 114. The screw 117 is coaxialwith and secured to a shoulder screw 118 at the outer face of the sideframe plate 2, as will be clear from FIGURE 6. A front feed pawl 119 ispivoted at its lower end, at 120, on the lower forward corner of plate114 and is disposed to engage ratchet wheel 91) of the front spool 88,when the plate 114 is in its forward position, and to clear ratchetwheel 90 when plate 114 is in its rearward position. Pawl 119 is urgedin clockwise direction by a tension spring 121 anchored at its lower endto pawl 119 and at its upper end to finger 115 of plate 114. A rear pawl122 is pivoted at 123 on finger 116 of plate 114 and is urged inclockwise direction by a tension spring 124 anchored to pawl 122 and toplate 114 at the lower rearward portion thereof. In FIGURE 5 the plate114 is shown in its inoperative position with the pawls 119 and 122disposed to clear the ratchet wheels 90 and 100, respectively. When theplate 114 is in its forward operative position the pawl 119 engagesratchet wheel 90 for turning the front spool counterclockwise, as viewedin FIGURE 5, pawl 122 being then disposed to clear ratchet wheel 100 ofthe rear spool 92. When piate 114 is in its operative rearward positionpawl 122 engages ratchet wheel 100 for turning spool 92 counterclockwiseand pawl 119 is disposed to clear ratchet wheel 90, as will be explainedmore fully later.

Plate 114 is provided in its upper portion and adjacent finger 115 withtwo V-shaped notches contiguous to each other. The notches 127 and 128receive a V-shaped locking finger 129 extending from the forward end ofa lever 130 (FIGURE 6) pivoted at its midlength on the screw 118 at theouter face of side plate 2, finger 129 extending through an opening inthe side frame plate 2. At its other or rearward end lever 130 isprovided with an inwardly extending stud or pin 131 which projectsthrough slot 132 at the forward end of an angle lever 133 pivoted atabout its midlength, on the outer face of the side frame plate 2, on aheaded stud 134. An angle latch lever 135 is pivoted on stud 134 at theinner face of the side frame plate 2 and is retained on the stud by asnap ring 136. The angle lever 135 is part of the mechanism forcontrolling the operation of the prefix plate 19, previously referredto, and need not be further considered here. The angle lever 133 isprovrded in its rearward portion with a cam slot 137 which receives aroller 138 mounted on the end of the pintle 51 0f the toggle comprisingthe links 53 and 55. A latch arm 139 (FIGURES 4 and 5) is pivoted on thescrew 117, at the inner face of plate 114 and normally engages over thelock finger 129 of lever 130 for holding finger 129 engaged in one ofthe notches 127 and 128. A tension spring 140 is anchored at its upperend to arm 139 and is anchored at its lower end to plate 114 ad acentthe lower edge thereof. The tension spring 140 normally connects arm 139and plate 114 together for movement as a unit upon the pivot screw 117.

A holding pawl 143, of generally rectangular shape, is pivoted, at theinner face of side plate 2, on bushing 63 between the flange thereof andcollar 69, on the stub shaft 67. The holding pawl 143 is adapted forengagement with ratchet wheel 190 of the rear ribbon spool 92 duringrotation of the latter in counterclockwise direction by the feed pawl122, as will be explained more fully presently. A tension spring 144anchored to an upper spacing or cross rod 5 and to pawl 143, urges thelatter in counterclockwise direction for engagement with the ratchetwheel 100. A front holding pawl 145, pivoted at 146 on bracket '78secured to side plate 2, is disposed for engagement with ratchet wheelof the front spool 88 when the latter is rotated by the feed pawl 119,for preventing reverse rotation of spool 88. Pawl 145 is provided withan elongated arcuate arm 147 to which is anchored the lower end of atension spring 143 anchored at its upper end to the side plate 2. Spring148 urges pawl 145 in counterclockwise direction for engadgement withthe ratchet wheel 90, as will be understoo When the plate 114 is in itsrearward operative position shown in FIGURE 4, the feed pawl 122 and theholding pawl 143 are in operative engagement with ratchet wheel of therear spool 92, lock finger 129 is engaged in the forward notch 127 ofplate 114 restraining it against forward movement, the front feed pawl119 is spaced rearward away from ratchet wheel 90 of the front spool 88and the front holding pawl 145 is held clear of ratchet wheel 90 byengagement therewith of a release pin 149 carried by finger of plate114. With the parts in the positions shown in FIGURE 4, when the pintle51 is moved rearward incident to a printing operation, the angle lever133 is turned in counterclockwise direction, swinging the lever inclockwise direction. The plate 114 and the parts carried thereby turnsin clockwise direction, with the lever 130, and the feed pawl 122 turnsthe rear spool 92 in counterclockwise direction until pawl 122 passesout of engagement with ratchet wheel 100 before completion of theprinting operation. In the return or forward movement of the pintle 51the lever 130, and with it the plate 114, is turned in counterclockwisedirection reengaging the pawl 122 with the ratchet wheel for turning thespool 92 a further distance incident to a subsequent printing operation.In that manner, the rear spool 92 is rotated step by step incounterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 4, for winding thereonthe ribbon 103 from the front spool 88, the latter being free to rotate,subject to a slight drag effective for preventing overrunning thereofduring unwinding therefrom of the ribbon.

When the ribbon 103 has been completely unwound from the front spool 88,any further attempt to wind ribbon 103 onto the rear spool 92 places theribbon under tension and it then becomes effective for preventingfurther rotation of spool 92 by the feed pawl 123. Accordingly, when thepintle 51 is again moved rearward the feed pawl 123 fulcrums on theratchet wheel 100 and then constitutes with the plate 114 a toggletending to force plate 114 forward over the pivot screw 117. Forwardmovement of plate 114 is resisted by engagement of the lock finger 129in the forward notch 127 with the result that turning of lever 130 inclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 4, raises finger 129 out of thenotch 127. When that occurs, plate 114 moves to its forward operativeposition and is moved in clockwise direction about pivot screw 117 bytension spring 140, so as to cause finger 129 to engage in the innernotch 127, thus completing the forward movement of plate 114 and lockingit against rearward movement. The feed pawl 119 is then in engagementwith the ratchet wheel 90 of the front spool 88, and the front holdingpawl 145 is then released, due to the upward movement of pin 149 withplate 114, and engages ratchet wheel 90 so as to prevent reverserotation thereof. Thereafter in the operation of the machine the frontspool 88 is rotated in counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE4, step-bystep for winding thereon the ribbon 103 from the back spool92, which is now released and free for rotation. In that connection, theforward movement of plate 114 to its forward operative position movesfeed pawl 122 clear of ratchet wheel 100 and, in addition, pin 150 onfinger 116 of plate 114 contacts the downwardly extending arm 151 ofholding pawl 143 and swings the latter to releasing position clear ofthe ratchet wheel 1190. When the ribbon 1G3 has been completely woundoil? of the rear spool 92 onto the front spool 80, the latter spool isheld against rotation and the plate 114 is returned to its positionshown in FIGURE 4, by the toggle action of feed pawl 119 and plate 114in cooperation with entry of the lock finger 129 into notch 127 of plate114. In that manner, the feed of the ribbon 103 is automaticallyreversed when it has been completely wound off of one spool onto theother spool, such reversal of feed being controlled by the ribbonitself.

When it is desired to replace the inking ribbon 103, it is wound ontothe rear spool 92, which is turned in winding direction by means of theknob 95. That may readily be done if the ribbon feed means is adjustedfor winding the ribbon onto spool 92. If the ribbon feed means isadjusted for winding ribbon 103 onto the front spool the feed is firstreversed. That is accomplished by holding rear spool 92 against turningwhile swinging the operating lever 41 forward and downward as in aprinting operation. The ribbon is then placed under tension effectivefor reversing the ribbon feed. The ribbon may then be wound onto therear spool 92 in the manner above indicated. The ends of the ribbon 103are at-' tached to the spindles of the spools by suitable known quickdetachable means (not shown), which need not be described here.

The ribbon feeding means above described is substantially the same asthat disclosed in the above identified patent and need not be explainedin greater detail here. It will be understood that my inventioncomprehends the use of any suitable ribbon feeding mechanism.

Referring to FIGURES 2, 3, 7, and 9, a signature plate bar 155, providedwith upwardly extending posts 156 and 157, is fixedly secured to dollarsbar 8 and cents bar 8a, respectively. The underface of bar 155 isinclined at a slight angle downwardly and forwardly from the underfacesof the bars 8 and 8a. The bar 155 is provided with a downwardly andforwardly extending rib 158 of T-shape in cross section. The rib158fitssnugly in a corresponding lengthwise groove 159 in base 160 of asignature plate 161 which seats on the underface of bar 155. Thesignature plate bears on its underface the facsimile of the signature ofthe drawer of a check C. W. Palmer, for examplesurrounded by pointedprojections, as shown in FIGURE 2. The signature plate 161 is insertedinto the machine through suitable openings in side frame plate 1 and thecorresponding side panel of housing or casing 22. To facilitateinsertion and withdrawal of signature plate 161 it is provided at itsouter end with a finger or extension 162 which projects a short distanceoutwardly beyond housing 22, so as to be readily grasped, when signatureplate 161 is in its fully inserted position, limited by a stop pin 163secured in rib 158 and disposed to be contacted by the inner end of baseof signature plate 161.

The signature plate 161 is disposed in front of the printing line of themachine and spaced therefrom a distance such that the printed signaturewill appear on the signature line of a check properly positioned in themachine. Signature plate 161 is provided, adjacent its outer end with anupwardly and forwardly extending boss 164 provided with a transverseslot for reception of a locking arm 165 (FIGURE 1, 3 and 7). The arm 165is disposed at the inner face of side plate 1 and is pivoted at itsupper end on an upper connecting or cross rod 5. It is held in closeproximity to the inner face of frame side plate 1 by a snap ring 166engaging in a groove in rod 5. When in its lowered locking position, thelower end of arm 165 engages in the groove of boss 164, effectivelypreventing withdrawal of the signature plate 161. A key operatedcylinder lock 168 (FIGURES 3 and 8), of suitable known type, is securedthrough an opening in side panel 169 of casing 22. Lock 168 extends intoan opening in side frame plate 1 and is provided, at its inner end, witha pin 170 which extends through an arcuate slot 171 in arm 165. Thelatter may be moved to either locking position or releasing position andlocked in either of such positions, by means of lock 168, as will beunderstood. When arm 165 is in looking position it effectively precludesunauthorized removal of the signature plate 161, or replacement thereofby a different signature plate, both undesirable for obvious reasons.

The signature printing plate 161 cooperates with a platen 1'73adjustably mounted in a suitable known manner on a bar 174 secured tothe forward ends of the platen arms 57. The inking ribbon 103 passesfrom the guide 166 forwardly beneath the printing segment guide bar 12and thence between the printing characters on the printing line and theplaten 59. Ribbon 103 then passes downward to cross rod 111), carried bytension release member 111, and from rod 110 to spool 88. The ribbon 103is spaced an appreciable distance below the printing surfaces of thedollars and cents bars 8 and 8a and the characters of the segments 15 onthe printing line, and is spaced a greater distance below the signatureprinting plate 161.

The ribbon 103 normally is under lengthwise tension, as previouslynoted. Due to the spacing of ribbon 1113 from the printing line and thesignature plate 161 lengthwise movement of the ribbon 103, during thefinal step of the printing operation, would occur if the tension of theribbon were maintained. That would result in smudging or blurring ofimpressions printed on the check, particularly of the signature. Suchblurring would be objectionable, for obvious reasons, especially as tothe signature, the impression of which should be clean and clear cut. Ihave provided means whereby lengthwise movement of the ribbon in thefinal step of the printing operation is precluded, thereby assuringclear and unsmudged impressions.

Referring to FIGURE 3, when the operating lever 41 is in its normalrearward position, the upper forward edge of cam 36 is in contact with astop or stud 175 secured in side frame plate 1, which limits clockwiseturning of cam 36 and of lever 41. A bell crank 176 is pivoted on areduced extension or stud 177 of the printing segment shaft 6,projecting through plate 1. Bell crank 176 is retained on stud 177 by a.washer 178 thereon and a snap ring 179 at the outer face of washer 178and engaging in a circumferential groove in stud 177. A tension spring180 is anchored, at its rearward end, to the rearwardly extending arm ofbell crank 176 and, at its forward end, to plate 1. Spring 180 holds aroller 181, mounted on the rearwardly extending arm of bell crank 176,in pressure contact with the arcuate rearward edge of cam 36, a shortdistance in advance of a shoulder 182 thereof, when cam 35 is in itsnormal position. The downwardly and forwardly extending arm of bellcrank 176 is provided with a slot 183 extending from its lower end. Theslot 183 receives a pin 184 secured to a finger 185 projectingrearwardly from the upper portion of the adjacent end of the ribbontension release member 111.

In performing a printing operation, the operating lever 41 is swungforwardly and downwardly, and the cam 36 is turned in counterclockwisedirection, as viewed in FIG- URE 3. With the lever 41 in its normalposition, the tension release member 111 is held in its normal position,holding cross rod 110 in its lowered position effective for maintainingribbon 103 under lengthwise tension. When lever 41 is swung forwardlyand downwardly a short distance, in a printing operation, the shoulder182 of cam 36 passes beneath roller 181 and the latter then bears uponportion 186 of cam 36 extending from shoulder 182 and concentric withthe axis of rotation of cam 3%. As shoulder 182 of cam 36 passes beyondroller 181, the bell crank 176 is turned clockwise by tension spring180. That swings the ribbon tension release member 111 upward, raisingthe cross rod 110 and releasing the tension of ribbon 103. At that timethe platens 60 and 173 are moving upward and pick up the check blank cand the slack portion of the ribbon thus provided. In the continuedforward and downward movement of the operating lever 41 the platens 60and 173 move into pressure contact with the check blank for effectingthe printing operation. The concentric portion 186 of cam 36 is of suchextent as to assure that the tension release member 111, and with itcross rod 110, will remain in raised position until completion of theprinting operation, as will be understood. The slight drag on the ribbonspools 88 and 92, previously mentioned, assures that the ribbon 103 willnot be unwound from either thereof during the printing operation. That,in conjunction with the lifting effect exerted upon the ribbon by theupwardly moving platens and check blank 0, assures that the ribbon willbe disposed smoothly between the platens and the check blank c and thecooperating printing characters thereby assuring clear and sharpimpressions in the printed check. The platen 60 and the printingcharacters cooperating therewith are provided with means for perforatingthe corresponding areas of the printed check, as is known. Likewise, thepointed projections on the signature plate 161 cooperate with platen 173for perforating the signature area of the printed check.

Referring more particularly to FIGURES and 11, preliminary to printingof a check a check blank c is inserted into the machine, between thebase of housing 22 and cross plate 79a of smudge guard member 79. Thecheck blank c is inserted into the machine toward the rear thereof untilthe line on which the amount of the check is to be printed is alignedwith the rearward edge of base element 77b of the printing lineindicator 77. Further insertion of the check blank is then prevented bythe check stops (not shown) appropriately adjusted to that end, as iswell known. When the check blank 0 is properly positioned in themachine, the left hand end portion thereof projects beyond the leftframe plate 2 and underlies base element 77b of the printing lineindicator 77.

In the normal position of smudge guard member 79 the rearward edge ofcross plate 79a thereof is disposed approximately in the vertical planeof the front surface of the ribbon tensioning and tension release rod110, as in FIGURE 10. When the operating lever 41 is swung forwardly anddownwardly, in the printing operation, the ribbon tensioning and tensionrelease member 111 is swung upwardly, as previously explained, about theaxis of the front spool 88. That raises the cross rod 110 effective forreleasing the tension of ribbon 103, as and for the purpose abovestated. Also, during the printing operation, the platens 60 and 173 pickup the check blank 0 and, with it, the slack portion of the ribbon 103.In the continued upward movement of the platens 60 and 173 the ribbon103 and the check blank c are moved into pressure contact with theprinting characters and the signature plate 161. As the check blank 0 ismoved upwardly by the platens 60 and 173, with the slack portion ofribbon 103, the left end portion of the check blank c, underlying thebase element 77b of the printing line indicator 77, picks up the latterand swings it upward about the pivot 77a. That prevents interference byindicator 77 with upward movement of the check blank in the printingoperation. At the completion of the printing operation, the check blankc, ribbon 103 and associated elements are positioned as shown in FIGURE11.

During the upward swinging movement of member 111 the pivot axis of thesmudge guard member 79, pivoted at each side at 80 on an arm of member111, is moved downward and rearward to limited extent. That shifts crossplate 79a of member 79 rearward a short distance. The ribbon tensioningand tension release rod reaches its uppermost position while the platens60 and 173 are still moving upward. At that time the cross plate 790 ofmember 79 is in its rearward position, underlying rod 110 and the areaof the ribbon 103 extending from rod 110 upward to the front spool 88,and also overlying the check blank 0. The cross plate 79a of member 79then rests upon check blank 0 which, in its continued upward movementwith platens 60 and 173, raises cross plate 79a to position in contactwith the lower rearward portion of rod 110 and underlying the area ofribbon 103 extending from rod 110 upward to the front spool 88. Thecross plate 79a of member 79 is then restrained against further upwardmovement by the rod 110, as will be understood, and is effective, in itsraised position, for deflecting the then forward portion of check blank0 downward away from the ribbon 103. The slack in ribbon 103 during theupward movement of check blank 0 to printing position guards againstsmudging of the signature and the cross plate 79a guards againstsmudging of the then forward area of the blank beyond the signature. Thethen rearward portion of the check blank 0 is held, by the guide member106 depressed and out of contact with portion of ribbon 103 extendingbeneath guide bar 12.

As the member 79 moves upward with the check blank 0 shoulder 79b movesout of contact with finger 77d of indicator 77, as will be understoodfrom what has been said. As the check blank c moves upward it picks upthe indicator 77, as previously explained. That moves finger 77d out ofcontact with the lower edge of the arm of the adjacent bracket 78. Inthe continued upward movement of the check blank 0, the members 77 and79 move upward at the same rate, with shoulder 79b of member 79remaining spaced from finger 77d of member 77. Upward movement of member79 is arrested by contact of cross plate 79a with rod 110, as previouslyexplained. That occurs shortly before the platens 60 and 173 reach thelimit of their upward travel. The continued upward travel of the platens60 and 173 moves upward the portion of the check blank c extendingrearward beyond the cross plate 79a. That imparts further upwardmovement to the indicator 77, effective for moving finger 77d thereofinto contact with shoulder 79b of member 79 and, shortly thereafter, theplatens 60 and 173 reach their uppermost position in pressure contactwith the check blank c. The parts then are positioned as shown in FIGURE11. The finger 77d of member 77 thus assures that the cross plate 79a ismaintained in its full raised position during completion of the printingoperation thereby guarding against possible downward slippage thereof.

When the operating lever 41 is returned to its normal 13 position, theprinted check moves downward with the platens 60 and 173. The members 77and 79 are also returned to their normal positions, with finger 77d ofmember 77 in contact with the arm of bracket 78 and shoulder 79a ofmember 79 in contact with finger 77d; as shown in FIGURE 10. The finger77d of indicator 77 cooperates with bracket 78 and shoulder 79!) ofmember 79 to assure proper normal positioning of such members. It alsoassures that cross plate 79a of member 79 will be held in its properoperative position. The mounting of indicator 77 for free upward anddownward movement, on pivot 77a, avoids any objectionable interferencewith upward and downward movement of the check blank and the smudgeguard member 79 during the printing operation, while also enabling themembers 77 and 79 to resume their normal positions after completion of aprinting operation, as will be understood from the foregoing.

It will be understood that changes in detail may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the field and scope of my invention, and I intend toinclude all such variations, as fall within the scope of the appendedclaims, in this application in which the preferred form only of myinvention is disclosed.

I claim:

1. In a check writer, a printing couple comprising type memberspositionable on a printing line and a signature plate adjacent saidprinting line, platens cooperating with and underlying said printingcouple normally in spaced relation thereto and mounted for movementtoward and away from said couple, an inking ribbon passing between andnormally spaced from said printing couple and platens, a ribbontensioning and tension release member overlying said ribbon adjacent andin front of said couple and platens, means mounting said member formovement to a normal lower position pressing upon said ribbon effectivefor maintaining it under tension and to an upper position effective forreleasing tension of said ribbon and providing slack therein, a pivotedsmudge guard member having a cross plate underlying said ribbon adjacentand in front of said tensioning and tension release member, a printingline indicator pivoted at one side of said check writer clear of saidcross plate, means normally holding said indicator and guard member in alowered position, said check writer having a slot for insertion of acheck blank to a printing position extending between said printingcouple and platens and underlying said ribbon and cross plate with oneend portion extending therebeyond and underlying said indicator,operating means for moving said platens upward for effecting a printingoperation, and means actuated by said operating means and effective formoving said tensioning and tension release member to its said upperposition incident to a printing operation and prior to completionthereof, said last mentioned means being also effective for returningsaid tensioning and tension release member to its said normal lowerposition subsequent to completion of a printing operation, said platensbeing effective for raising the check blank and thereby moving saidcross plate to an upper operative position in proximity to the underface of said ribbon and moving said indicator to an upper position,incident to a printing operation.

2. In a check writer, a printing couple comprising type memberspositionable on a printing line and a signature plate adjacent saidprinting line, platens cooperating with and underlying said printingcouple normally in spaced relation thereto and mounted for movementtoward and away from said couple, an inking ribbon passing between andnormally spaced from said printing couple and platens, a ribbontensioning and tension release member overlying said ribbon adjacent andin front of said couple and platens, means mounting said member formovement to a normal lower position pressing upon said ribbon effectivefor maintaining it under tension and to an upper position effective forreleasing tension of said ribbon and providing slack therein, a smudgeguard member mounted for upward and downward movement and having a crossplate underlying said ribbon adjacent and in front of said tensioningand tension release member, a printing line indicator mounted adjacentsaid guard member for upward and downward movement, means normallyholding said guard member and indicator in a lowered position, saidcheck writer having a slot for insertion of a check blank to a printingposition extending between said printing couple and platens andunderlying said ribbon and cross plate and indicator, operating meansfor moving said platens upward for effecting a printing operation, andmeans actuated by said operating means and effective for moving saidtensioning and tension release member to its said upper positionincident to a printing operation and prior to completion thereof, saidlast mentioned means being also effective for returning said tensioningand tension release member to its said normal lower position subsequentto completion of a printing operation, said platens being effective forraising the check blank and thereby moving said cross plate to an upperoperative position in proximity to the under face of said ribbon andmoving said indicator to an upper position, incident to a printingoperation.

3. In a check writer, printing means comprising type memberspositionable on a printing line and platen means cooperating with andunderlying said type members normally in spaced relation thereto andmounted for upward and downward movement, an inking ribbon passingbetween and normally spaced from said type members and platen means, aribbon tensioning and tension release member overlying said ribbonadjacent and in front of said type members and platen means, meansmounting said member for movement to a normal lower position pressingupon said ribbon effective for maintaining it under tension and to anupper position efiective for releasing tension of said ribbon andproviding slack therein, a smudge guard member mounted for upward anddownward movement and having a cross plate underlying said ribbonadjacent and in front of said printing line, a printing line indicatormounted adjacent said guard member for upward ad downward movement,means normally holding said indicator in a lowered position, cooperatingmeans carried by said indicator and said guard member effective forholding the latter in its said normal lowered position, said checkwriter having a slot for insertion of a check blank to a printingposition extending between said type members and platen means andunderlying said ribbon and cross plate and indicator, operating meanseffective for moving said platen means upward for effecting a printingoperation, and means actuated by said operating means and effective formoving said tensioning and tension release member to its said upperposition incident to a printing operation and prior to completionthereof, said last mentioned means being also effective for returningsaid tensioning and tension release member to its said normal lowerposition subsequent to a printing operation, said platen means beingeffective for raising the check blank and thereby raising said crossplate to an upper operative position in proximity to the underface ofsaid ribbon and moving said indicator to an upper position, incident toa printing operation.

4. In a check writer, printing means comprising type memberspositionable on a printing line and platen means cooperating with andunderlying said type members normally in spaced relation thereto andmounted for upward and downward movement, an inking ribbon passingbetween and normally spaced from said type members and platen means, aribbon tensioning and tension release member overlying said ribbonadjacent and in front of said type members and platen means, meansmounting said member for movement to a normal lower position pressingupon said ribbon effective for maintaining it under tension and to anupper position effective for releasing tension of said ribbon andproviding slack therein, a smudge guard member mounted for upward anddownward movement and having a cross plate underlying said ribbonadjacent and in front of said printing line, means normally holding saidguard member in a lowered position, said check writer having a slot forinsertion of a check blank to a printing position extending between saidtype members and platen means and underlying said ribbon and crossplate, operating means effective for moving said platen means upward foreffecting a printing operation, and means actuated by said operatingmeans and effective for moving said tensioning and tension releasemember to its said upper position incident to a printing operation andprior to completion thereof, said last mentioned means being alsoeffective for returning said tensioning and tension release member toits said normal lower position subsequent to a printing operation, saidplaten means being effective for raising the cheek blank and therebyraising said cross plate to an upper operative position in proximity tothe under face of said ribbon incident to a printing operation.

5. In a check writer, printing means comprising type memberspositionable on a printing line and platen means cooperating with andunderlying said type members normally in spaced relation thereto andmounted for upward and downward movement, an inking ribbon passingbetween and normally spaced from said type members and platen means,ribbon tensioning and tension release means having a normal positionpressing on said ribbon effective for maintaining it under tension andmovable to a second position effective for relieving tension of saidribbon and providing slack therein, a smudge guard member mounted forupward and downward movement underlying said ribbon adjacent and infront of said printing line, said check writer having a slot forinsertion of a check blank to a printing position extending between saidtype members and platen means and underlying said ribbon and guardmember, operating means for moving said platen means upward foreffecting a printing operation, and supplementary means actuated by saidoperating means and effective for moving said ribbon tensioning andtension release means to its said second position incident to a printingoperation and prior to completion thereof, said supplementary meansbeing also effective for returning said tensioning and tension releasemeans to its said normal position subsequent to a printing operation,said platen means being effective for raising the check blank andthereby raising said smudge guard means to an upper operative positionin proximity to the underface of said ribbon incident to a printingoperation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,943,607 Hedman Jan. 16, 1934 1,984,706 Slettevold Dec. 18, 19342,118,871 Thompson May 31, 1938 2,198,139 Svensson Apr. 23, 19402,619,899 Gollwitzer Dec. 2, 1952 2,707,432 Rindfieisch May 3, 19552,794,387 Schultz June 4, 1957 2,798,429 Werner et al. July 9, 19572,826,140 Jagger Mar. 11, 1958

1. IN A CHECK WRITER, A PRINTING COUPLE COMPRISING TYPE MEMBERSPOSITIONABLE ON A PRINTING LINE AND A SIGNATURE PLATE ADJACENT SAIDPRINTING LINE, PLATENS COOPERATING WITH AND UNDERLYING SAID PRINTINGCOUPLE NORMALLY IN SPACED RELATION THERETO AND MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENTTOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID COUPLE, AN INKING RIBBON PASSING BETWEEN ANDNORMALLY SPACED FROM SAID PRINTING COUPLE AND PLATENS, A RIBBONTENSIONING AND TENSION RELEASE MEMBER OVERLYING SAID RIBBON ADJACENT ANDIN FRONT OF SAID COUPLE AND PLATENS, MEANS MOUNTING SAID MEMBER FORMOVEMENT TO A NORMAL LOWER POSITION PRESSING UPON SAID RIBBON EFFECTIVEFOR MAINTAINING IT UNDER TENSION AND TO AN UPPER POSITION EFFECTIVE FORRELEASING TENSION OF SAID RIBBON AND PROVIDING SLACK THEREIN, A PIVOTEDSMUDGE GUARD MEMBER HAVING A CROSS PLATE UNDERLYING SAID RIBBON ADJACENTAND IN FRONT OF SAID TENSIONING AND TENSION RELEASE MEMBER, A PRINTINGLINE INDICATOR PIVOTED AT ONE SIDE OF SAID CHECK WRITER CLEAR OF SAIDCROSS PLATE, MEANS NORMALLY HOLDING SAID INDICATOR AND GUARD MEMBER IN ALOWERED POSITION, SAID CHECK WRITER HAVING A SLOT FOR INSERTION OF ACHECK